BMW 1 Series 5 Dr tyre pressures
Front 29 psi (2 bar), rear 33 psi (2.3 bar) on the standard 17-inch wheels, and the figures for the other 2 wheel sizes it was sold with. Manufacturer data, checked cold.
| Wheels | Tyre size | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17"standard | 205/50R17 | 29 psi · 2 bar | 33 psi · 2.3 bar |
| 17" | 205/50R17 / 225/45R17 | 29 psi · 2 bar | 32 psi · 2.2 bar |
| 16" | 205/55R16 | 29 psi · 2 bar | 32 psi · 2.2 bar |
Manufacturer figures for the BMW 1 Series 5 Dr (E87), normal load, tyres cold. If the label on your door pillar or fuel flap says something different, go with that.
Tyres at the MOT
In 2025, the BMW 1 Series (2004–2011) failed its MOT on tyres in 7.8% of 90,897 tests. Cars of the same age failed on tyres 7.1% of the time, so it was about average for its age. Another 29.8% passed with a tyre advisory, usually tread close to the limit.
What the MOT tester checks on your tyres · The full 2025 figures
DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2025: MOT tests on cars (class 4), not counting retests. The figures cover the whole BMW 1 Series (2004–2011) range, not only this version. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Resetting the tyre pressure warning light on your BMW
BMW has two systems: the indirect Flat Tyre Monitor, common on older cars and those with run-flat tyres, and the Tyre Pressure Monitor, with sensors in the wheels, on most recent cars. Both need a reset after the pressures change.
- Set all four tyres to the correct cold pressure.
- In iDrive, go to My Vehicle (or Vehicle info) > Vehicle status > Tyre Pressure Monitor (or Flat Tyre Monitor).
- Start the engine but don't drive off, then select Perform reset.
- Drive off. Above about 19 mph the new pressures are accepted; on the sensor system the tyres turn green on the screen when it's done.
Older cars without iDrive
- Use the button on the end of the indicator stalk to scroll to the tyre reset item and hold it, or press the separate RESET button, then drive.
When to reset: Reset after every pressure adjustment and every tyre or wheel change.
Exact menu names on the newest iDrive versions may differ. Check the handbook in the car's menu.
Menu names vary by model and year, so check your handbook if yours looks different. More in what the warning light means.
Got a different 1 Series 5 Dr? Check by registration
Put your reg in and we'll show the figures for your exact car, including the wheel size it left the factory on.
What tyre pressure should a 1 Series 5 Dr have?
29 psi at the front and 33 psi at the rear (2 and 2.3 bar) on the standard 17-inch wheels, with the tyres cold. Larger optional wheels use slightly different figures — see the table above.
Should I use a higher pressure when the car is loaded?
The manufacturer gives one figure for this car, so no. If you're carrying a full load for a long motorway run, the label on the door pillar may show a higher figure — follow that if it does.
What tyre size does the 1 Series 5 Dr use?
205/50R17, 225/45R17 or 205/55R16, depending on the wheels it was ordered with. The size is on the tyre's sidewall, e.g. 235/40R18.
Does the BMW 1 Series (2004–2011) fail the MOT on tyres more often?
No, it's about average for its age. In 2025, 7.8% of BMW 1 Series (2004–2011) MOT tests failed on tyres, against 7.1% for cars of the same age (DVSA MOT data, 90,897 tests). Another 29.8% passed with a tyre advisory.
Check them cold. Pressures are set for tyres that haven't been driven more than a mile or two. After a run they read 3–4 psi high.
Once a month, and before a long trip. Tyres lose about 1 psi a month on their own.
The sticker wins. If your car's door-pillar or fuel-flap label says something different, go with that — it knows your exact spec.